Means for inserting shirring-strings into incandescent mantles.



No. 659,6!7. Patented Oct. 9, I900.

' B. van BULTZINGSLOWEN.

MEANS FOR INSERT ING SHIRRING STRINGS INTO INCANDESGENT MANTLES (Application filed Aug. 27, 1898. Renewed Feb. 24, 1900.) (No Model.) 8 Sheets-Sheet I.

ATTORNEYS.

m: uunms PETERS 00.. mo'fouma. wuumuwu. n. c.

No. 659,6l7. Patented Oct. 9, I900. 8. von BULTZINGSLOWEN.

MEANS FOR INSERTING SHIBRING STRINGS INTO INCANDESGENT MANTLES.

(Application filed Aug. 27, 1898. Rnnewed Feb. 24, 1900.)

(No Model.) 8 Sheets-Sheet 2.

IlVVE/VTOR ATTORNEYS.

m: Norms PETERS a0. wow-urns" WASHINGTON, D. cv

No. 659,6l7. Patented Oct. 9, I900.

B. vuu BULT ZINGSLUWEN. MEANS FOR INSERTING SHIRBING STRINGS INTO INCANDESGENT MANTLESr (Application filed Aug. 27, 1898. Renewed Feb. 24, 1900.) (N0 M m 8 Sheets-Sheet 3.

A T TOR/V5 Y 8.

m: NORRIS vnzns c'ov, PHOTO-LITNO ,wunmman, v. c,

No. 659,617. Patented 00f. 9,1900

' B. vuu BULTZINGSLGWEN.

MEANS FOR INSERTING SHIHBING STRINGS INTO INGANDESGENT MANTLES.

(Agapiication filed Aug. 27, 1698. Bennett Feb- 24, 1900.). (No Model.) 8 Sheets-Sheet 4.

WITNESSES IIVVEIVTOR 4 TTOHIVE Y8.

THE Nonms PETERS ca. worauma, WA5HINGTON, n. c.

Patented Oct. 9, I900.

' B. VON'BULTZINGSLGWEN. MEANS FOR INSERTING SHIRRING STRINGS INTO INGANDESCENT MANTLES.

(Application filed Adg. 27, 1898. Renewed Feb. 24, 1900.)

8 Sheets-Sheet 5.

(Nb Model.)

M AW mZ/M m M M U No. 659',6|7. Patented Oct. 9, I900. B. VON BULTZINGSLOWEN.

MEANS FURJNSEBTING SHlRBING STRINGS INTO INGANDESCENT MANTLES.

(Applieation' filed Aug. 27, 1898. Renewed Feb. 24, 1900.) (No Model.)

8 Sheets-Sheet 6.

FICi-Y-Q ATTORNEYS.

No. 659,6I7. u Patented Oct. 9. I900. B. VON BULTZINGSLOWEN.

MEANS FOR INSEBTING SHIBRING STRINGS INTO INGANDESCENT MANTLES.

(Application filed Aug. 27, 1898. Renewed Feb. 24, 1960.)

I (No Madel.) a sheets-sheaf ATTORNEYS.

m: NGRHIS wsrzns co. PNOTO'LITHQ, wAsumaYgu, 0. c4

No. 659,6l7. Patentgd Oct. '9, 1900-1 8. van BULTZINGSLDWEN. MEANS FUR IN SERTING SHIRRING STRINGS INTQ INCANDESCENT MANTLES.

\Application filed. Aug. 27, 1898.- Ranewed Feb. 24, 1900.) (No M l.) '8 Sheets8heet 8.

"* y ff ym ATTORNEYS.

m: NORRIS vnzas co.. puordunm, wumucrou, a c.

ilNiTno STATES PATENT OFFICE.

BRUNO voN ntiL'rzINesLoWEN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR OF ONE- THIRD TO SARAH VON AUW, or SAME PLACE.

MEANS FOR INSERTING SHlRRlNG-STRINGS lN TO INCANDESCENT MANTLES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 659,617, dated October 9, 1900.

Application filed August 27, 1898. Renewed February 24, 1900. serial No. 6,411. (No model.)

To a, whom it may concern: tion on line 5, Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is a vertical Be it known that I, BRUNO VON BIlLTZINGS- transverse section on line 6 6, Fig. 3. Fig. 7 LOWEN, a citizen of Germany, residing in the is-a detail side view of one set of side folders. city of NewYorlgborough of Manhaltamstate Fig. 8 is a detail side view of one of the combr 5 of New York, have invented certain new and shaped holders for the side folders. Fig. 9 is useful Improvements in Means for Inserting a top View of one of the comb-shaped guides Shining-Strings into Incandescent Mantles, forguiding the side folders. Fig. 10 is a secof which the following is a specification. t-ional side elevation of one end of the ma- This invention relates to an improved chine, showing the central folders in raised 10 means for inserting shirring-stringsinto manposition for receiving the mantle-blank pretles for incandescent gas or other lamps, so paratory to folding and shirring the same. as to dispense with the hand-labor heretofore Fig. 11 is a vertical transverse section of the required for this purpose and permit the finside folders and theirsupporting-frame, showishing of the head of the mantle and the tying the mechanism for lowering the folders 15 ing of the asbestos thread or wire in the folds after the side folders and needles are withof the same in a quicker, cheaper, and more drawn from the shirred mantle, so as to crease uniform manner than by hand; and the inthe folds and facilitate the removal of the vention consists of a machine for folding and folded and shirred mantle. Figs. 12, 13, and shirring the heads of mantles for incandes- 14 are diagrammatic plan views showing the 20 cent gas-burners, said machine comprising folded head of the mantlein the course of the two sets of side folders arranged at opposite shirring operation after the shirring-needles sides of the mantle-blank, a set of central have been withdrawn from the same and affolders, both side folders and central folders ter the head has been tied by the asbestos being provided with recesses at their inner thread or wire, and Figs. 15 and 16 show the 25 edges, means for applying successively one mantle-blank parallel to the side elevation of side folder after the other to the blanks for the folders before the same has been acted on the mantles, so as to produce the successive by the folders and after the head of the manfolding up of the same, means for simultanetle has been folded and shirred by the maously moving needles through the folds of the chine. i 30 o mantle formed by the folders, and guide de- Similar letters of reference indicate correvices for the asbestos threads or wire passing sponding parts. through the eyes of the needles by which the Referring to the drawings, A represents the folded and shirred blank is finally tied; and supporting-frame of my improved machine the invention consists, further, of certain defor folding and shirring the heads of mantles 5 tails of construction which will be fully defor incandescent gas-lamps. The frameA is scribed hereinafter and finally pointed out in composed of upright parallel plates that are the claims. attached to a suitable base-plate A and con- In the accompanying drawings, Figure l nected at their upper ends and sides by suitrepresents a side elevation of my improved able brace-pieces. The driving mechanism 0 40 means for inserting shirring-strings into the for the side folders and shirring-needles is arheads of mantles for incandescent lamps, ranged at one end of the frame A, while the partly in vertical section through the needlemechanism by which the central folders are bar and its guide-casing, the parts being in raised for receiving the mantles preparatory the position before the folding and shirring to folding and shirring the heads of the same 5 action commences. Fig. 2 is a plan view of is arranged on the opposite. side of the ma- Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is likewise a plan view showchine.

ing the parts in position after the folding and The folding operation of the head of the shirring of the head of the mantle has been mantle is accomplished by a set of central completed. Fig. is an end elevation of the folders B, which are arranged parallel to each 50 machine, showing the driving mechanism of other on a suitable frame and at a suitable the same. Fig. 5 is a vertical transverse sec- 1 distance apart, so that the folds of the mantle may enter between them under the reciprocating action of the side folders. The central folders are supported in a comb-shaped holder B, that is attached to the platform B The centralfolders B are made of somewhat less width than the width of the folded head of the mantle M and are provided at each corner with a recess Z) for the passage of the shirring-needles S S. The platform B is supported on a slotted slide-piece B which is guided in a stationary upright standard B having ways I) for the guiding of the slidepiece B which latter is guided on headed studs b attached to the upright standard B", as shown in Figs. 1, 5, and 10. The central folders B can be raised so as to place the mantle-blank in position thereon, said raising motion being accomplished by means of an elbow-lever B, that is fulcru med to an exterior.

lug b on the wall of the supporting-frame, as shown in Figs. 1 and 10. The inner end of the fulcru med angular lever B is slotted and applied to a headed stud b of the slide-piece B while the outer end of the angular lever is provided with a handle H for conveniently operating the same. By lowering the handle H the angular lever B is turned and the entire set of central folders B are raised intothe positionshown in Fig. 10. By returning the handle to its former position the central folders are lowered again into the position shown in Fig. 1 and in dotted lines in Fig. 10. The central folders are locked into raised position by means of a pawl-and-ratchet mechanism which is arranged on the pivot of the angular lever B the pawl 19 being pivoted to the shorter arm of the angular lever and released against the tension of a spring b froin the teeth of the fixed ratchet-wheel b by means of an auxiliary handle B, which is fulcrnmed to the shorter arm of the angularlever below the same, as shown clearly in Figs. 1 and 10. When the central folder is at its raised position, the pawl b engages the ratchet-wheel b on the pivot of the angular lever B and secures thereby the central folders B in the position in which they have been placed. When it is desired to lower the central folders B, the pawl b has to be released by pressure on the auxiliary handle 13, so that the pawl is withdrawn from the ratchet b after which the angular lever B can be returned into its normal lowered position, together with the central folders.

On the platform B on which the central folders are supported, is arranged a blade b parallel with the central folders B and which is provided at its lower end with an angularlybentportion thatis guided in ways ofa bracket I), attached to the end of the platform B This blade is connected by a spring b with the outer end of the bracket b and serves to hold the mantle-blank stretched in position on the central folders. The blank M is for this purpose rolled up at the lower end, as shown in Fig. 15, and placed over the central folders B and on the guided and spring-actuaied blade b which latter keeps the blank in stretched position, as shown in plan view in Fig.- 2. By the folding action exerted on .theblank M the blade is moved forward against the tension of the spring 12 until it is finally moved up to the end of the central folders B, as will be described hereinafter.

The side folders.At each side of the central folders B and intermediately to the same is arranged a set of reciprocating side folders D D, which are guided parallel with each other and with the central folders in suitable comb-shaped holders D during the reciprocating motion which is imparted to them. The holders D are connected by screw-bolts d d, which pass through slots in the lower oblong shanks of the folders D D. The upper ends of the side folders D D are made angularand projecting toward each other,as shown in Figs. 5, 6, and 11. The angular portions are guided in comb-shaped guides D which are attached by fastening-screws to the horizontal supporting-plate D. The upper ends of the side folders D are provided near the edge with recesses (1, corresponding in size to the recesses near the edges of the central folders B, so that when the reciprocating side folders are moved intermediately between the central folders the recesses (Z are brought in line with the recesses b of the central folders, and the stitching-needles S can be passed through the folds of the mantle without being impeded in their progress. The side folders are furthermore provided with downwardlyextending lugs 01 at the lower parts of the oblong shanks, which lugs are connected, by helical springs d with stationary pins (1 in braces A of the supporting-frame A, said springs serving to return the side folders into their normal retracted position in the holder's D and guide-combs D when the pressure on the outer ends of their shanks is removed. In other words, the side folders are returned to their normal position by their helical springs ready for the next impulse of forward motion. The holders D for the side folders aresupported on nprightslide-plates Dfiwhich are guided by slots (Z on headed studs d of stationary upright standards D, the lower ends of said slide-pieces being provided with angularly bent bracket portions that are connected by a bridge-strap D Between the angularlybent portions of the lower ends of the slide plates D and of the standards D are interposed cushion-springs (1 which are placed on pins d, which pass through the brackets and bridge-strap D Intermediately between the slide-plates D of the two sets of side folders a horizontal spindle D is arranged, which carries a cam D, that acts on the bridge-strap D when the spindle is turned by the crank-handle D applied to its outer end. The spindle is journaled at its cam end in a suitable standard D. turning of the cam D produces the lowering of the slide-pieces D against the tension of the springs al and thereby the lowering of The p the upper ends of the side folders D D, so that the same produce the creasing of the folds and facilitate the removal of the folded and shirred mantle. The lowering of the reciprocating side folders takes place after the side folders and needles S are returned into their initial position by the reverse motion imparted to the cylindrical cams E, which govern the motion of the side folders and the screw-spindle by which the motion of the needles is controlled. As soon as the spindle D has made one complete revolution the side folders are raised again into their normal position at both sides of the central folders ready for the next folding operation.

One pair of the reciprocating side folders are slowly moved forward under the action of the cylindrical cams E, that are splined into longitudinal shafts E, which are rotated by a gear-wheel transmission arranged at the .end of the supporting-frame, said gear-wheels being driven by a rotating driving gear-wheel G, provided with a crank-handle g, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The gear-wheel transmission imparts simultaneously rotary motion in opposite direction to the cam-shaft E, and thereby to the cams E. Simultaneously with this rotary motion the cams E are moved slowly forward by the action of rotary screwspindles F F, which are arranged parallel with the shafts E and rotated by gear-wheels g meshing with the gear-wheels g at the ends of the shafts E E. Traversing sleeves F, guided in slotted braces A of the frame A, are placed on the screw-spindles F and connected by straps f with the rear ends of the cylindrical cams E E, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, said straps being attached to the ends of the cam-cylinders by screws 6 e of the cams. The forward end of the cylindrical cams E is provided with segmental recesses 6 which are shown clearly in Fig. 6. The posit-ion of the cams in this figure is, however, slightly different from that shown in Fig. 3, on which this sectional view is taken. During the turning of the driving gear-wheel G the cylindrical cams E E are rotated and simultaneously moved forward by the action of the traversing sleeves F, which are actutated by the screw-spindles F, so that during the forward motion of the camsE one pair of side folders after the other is engaged by the cams and successively moved inwardly between the central folders, so as to produce the required folds in the head of the mantle-blank, as shown in Fig. 3. Simultaneously with the forward motion imparted to the side folders D D two parallel shirring-needles S S are passed through the folds of the mantle-head. These shirringneedles are arranged parallel to each other in a cylindrical needle-bar O, which is guided in a cylindrical casing 0, supported at the top of the frame A of the machine, said needle-bar 0 being made tubular and provided with an interior screw-thread which is engaged by a screw-spindle 0*, which receives rotary motion from the main driving-wheel G of. the machine, as shown in Fig. 4. The needles being shorter andfarther back than the cams E at their respective normal positions, they consequently pass into the folds of the mantle somewhat behind the movable side folders. The needles are so arranged that they are just two folds behind the cams E E. Consequently on going back they are two folds ahead of the cams. By the rotary motion imparted to the spindle C longitudinal motion isimparted to the tubular needlebar 0, so that the two needles S S, supported in the sockets c in the head of the same, are moved forward through openings in the guidecase C of the same. The needles are threaded with asbestos thread or wire, which is passed from a spool S supported on the cylindrical casing C, then over a suit-able eye S to one needle-eye, then over a center pin S on the guide-casing O, and then to the second needle-eye, and made of sufficient length so that the thread is accurately passed through all the folds of the mantle as the needles pierce the same, as shown in Fig. 2. This piercing takes place with the successive folding of the mantle-blank by the combined ac- .tion of the central and reciprocating side .folders.

The thread or wire is then cut, the needles unthreaded, the motion of the machine reversed, and the needles S S withdrawn from 'the folds of the mantle, after which the ends of the threads are drawn out, as shown in Fig. 13, and the same tied together, as shown clearly in Fig. '14, so as to form the loop Z, by which the mantle is then supported from the crutch of the lamp.

Operation: Myimproved machine for folding and shirring the heads of mantles for incandescent gas-lamps is preferably operated by hand; but it can also be operated by foot or other power. Before setting the machine in motion the set of central folders B are raised above the level of the reciprocating side folders D D by lowering the angular lever D at one end of the machine, so that the central folders D and the tension-blade b guided on the supporting-platform B of the same, are placed in raised position,as shown in Fig. 10. The mantle M being rolled up at the lower part,as shown in Fig. 15,is slipped downward over the central foldersand tension-blade and the central folders returned into their nor-, mal position intermediate between the reciprocating side folders, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. In this position the central folders B are locked by the pawl-and-ratchet mechanism arranged in connection with the angular lever B The machine is now setin mot-ion by turning the main gear-wheel G,-from which motion is transmitted to the cam shafts E, screw-spindle F, and needle-bar O in the manner before described. The cylindrical cams E on the camshaft E advance si m ultaneously with the needles S S. The cams E E engage one pair of side folders D D after the other by their segmentally-recessed end and press said folders slowly toward each other so as to form one fold after the other in the head of the mantle in connection with the central folders, as shown in Fig. 3. As the folding proceeds the needles pierce the folds and carry the threads through the folds as they are formed. When all the side folders are moved inwardly and all the folds are formed and the needles have pierced'the same, the cams continue their motion, so as to give the needles achance to pass fully through all the folds and permit the drawing through of the ends of the thread, as shown in Fig. 13. By the joint action of the central and side folders folds of uniform shape are formed at both sides of the central folders without injury to the mantle and in considerably less time than the same work can be done by hand. The ends of the shirring-threads are then cut off, the needles nnthreaded, and the threads pulled through, as shown in Fig. 13. After this is done the motion of the drivingwheel is reversed, so that the motion of the cylindrical cams E, governing the side folders, is reversed, likewise the motion of the needles. The side folders are successively withdrawn as they are liberated by the cams E E and returned into their normal position by their springs d while the needles follow gradually the receding motion of the side folders untilthey are entirely withdrawn from the folds of the mantle. After the folds of the mantle are cleared by the side folders and by the needles the side folders are lowered simultaneously with their supporting-carriers D by turning the crank-handle D below the main driving-wheel G, so that the cam D acting on the bridge-strap D moves both sets of side folders in downward direction, so as to crease the folds and permit in their lowered position the convenient removal of the folded and shirred mantle.

The advantages of my improved machine are that the mantles are folded and stitched in a perfectly reliable and uniform manner at considerable speed and without requiring skilled labor for completing the heads of the mantles.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. In means for inserting shirring-strings into incandescent mantles, the combination, with a set of central folders, of a set of parallel reciprocating side folders located intermediately with the central folders, longitudinally-reciprocating needles, and means for simultaneously operating said reciprocating side folders and advancing the needles for shirring the folds of the head of the mantle, substantially as set forth.

2. In means for inserting shirring-strings into incandescent mantles, the combination of a set of central folders, means for vertically reciprocating the same, a set of side folders at each side of said central folders, said side folders being arranged to alternate with the central folders, means for imparting reciprocating motion to said side folders successively one pair after the other, two needles arranged at right angles to the-folders, and means for moving said needles forward simultaneously with the inward motion of said side folders, substantially as setforth.

3. In means for inserting shirring-strings into incandescentmantles, the combination with a set of central folders, of a platform for supporting said folders, a spring-actuated tension-blade arranged on said platform adjacent to said folders, means for guiding said tension-blade laterally to and from one end of said central folders, side folders cooperating with said central folders and needles for inserting a shirring-thread through the folded part of the mantle, substantially as set forth.

4:. In means for inserting shirring-strings into incandescent mantles, the combination,

with a set of parallel central folders, of a platform for supporting the same, means for guiding the platform, an angular lever for raising or lowering said platform, a pawl-andratchet device for locking said angular lever in position, side folders and needles for inserting a shirring-thread, substantially as set forth.

5. In means for inserting shirring-strings into incandescent mantles, the combination, with a set of central folders, of laterally-reciprocating side folders located intermediately to said central folders, carriers for supporting said side folders, means for guiding said carriers up and down, means for lowering said carriers and side folders when the head of the mantleis folded and shirred, and needles for inserting a shining-thread, substantially as set forth.

6. In means for inserting shirring-strings into incandescent mantles, the combination, with a set of central folders, of intermediate laterallyreciprocating .side folders, cylindrical cams having segmentally recessed faces engaging successively one pair of side folders after the other, means for imparting rotary motion to said cams, and needles for inserting a shirring-thread, substantially as set forth.

7. In means for inserting shirring-strings into incandescent mantles, the combination, with a set of central folders, of sets of laterally-reciprocating side folders, said central and side folders being recessed at their upper parts, longitudinally-reciprocatiug needles, and means for imparting motion to said needles simultaneously with the reciprocab ing motion imparted to said side folders, substantially as set forth.

8. In means for inserting shirring-strings into incandescent mantles, the combination, with a set of central folders, of two sets of laterally-reciprocating and spring-actuated side folders, guide-combs for guiding said side folders, rotary and longitudinal traversing cam-sleeves having segmental faces for imparting successively motion toward each other to one pair of side folders after the other, and needles for inserting a shiningthread, substantially as set forth.

9. In means for inserting shirring-strings into incandescent mantles, a side folder formed of an oblong lower part or shank and an angular upper part provided With a recess at its upper corner in combination with central folders, and a needle guided in said recess, substantially as set forth.

10. In means for inserting shining-strings into incandescent mantles, the combination of a set of central folders, a guided and springactuated tension-blade parallel with said central folders for holding the mantle-blank in 

